Schools celebrate increases in attendance across New Bedford

Officials said attendance rates were up this year at schools across the district, which finished the third year of the "Where Are YOU Headed?" campaign with an annual "Walk for Attendance" Friday.

NATALIE SHERMAN

NEW BEDFORD — They say 80 percent of life is showing up. If so, city students are well on their way.

Officials said attendance rates were up this year at schools across the district, which finished the third year of the "Where Are YOU Headed?" campaign with an annual "Walk for Attendance" Friday.

"It's really just a celebration of the hard work the kids and the teachers and the principals have done, all in the name of coming to school," Assistant Superintendent Heather Larkin said.

"They get a kind of reward," said parent Michelle Samagaio, 36. "It makes it exciting for them and lets them know that it counts."

At the Betsey B. Winslow School, which had the highest attendance rate in the district with a yearlong average of 96.5 percent, students walked to the Buttonwood Park Zoo after cheering wildly as a state police helicopter touched down in the field outside their building.

"I can't believe a helicopter just landed on top of the school," said first-grader Jarrid Cardoso, 7.

At New Bedford High School, which introduced a stricter attendance policy this year, the number of students staying in school also rose by about 5 percent compared to the year before, Larkin said.

In 2011-12, the high school's attendance rate was 86.4 percent, according to state data.

Keith Middle School had the most improved attendance rate after the high school, up three points from 91 to 94 percent.

"It's an effort that we can't let up on," Larkin said, adding that next year's goal is to average a 95 percent attendance each month. "Every time a child misses a day of school they miss important instruction that they can't get back."

Students at Winslow said they believe that good attendance now will help them in the future.

"We want to have a great job and go to a great college," said second-grader Sara Curry, 8.

Seven-year-old Joseph Rebello was one of roughly 20 Winslow students with a perfect attendance record this year.

"I like learning, so I want to go to school," said the second-grader. And, he added, "I'm never sick."